THEC grant aids Lee program
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - A grant through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission will ensure continuation of the Mathematics in Biotechnology program at Lee University, according to a news release.
The $73,589 Improving Teacher Quality Grant was awarded to Dr. Lori West and colleagues. The grant aims to help teachers increase their knowledge and competency in the grade 9-12 Common Core State Standards in Mathematics.
The Mathematics in Biotechnology program will recruit 20 math and biology teachers from regional schools, the release stated. Teachers will learn how to engage students by using hands-on activities requiring mathematics principles to analyze data.
Houston judge won't step down
KNOXVILLE - A federal judge won't recuse himself in Rocky Joe Houston's firearms trial.
The 52-year-old Roane County man faces 14 counts of being a felon in possession of guns after a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives raid on his family's property earlier this month.
His brother also faces firearms charges stemming from that raid.
The Houston brothers previously faced murder charges in highly publicized cases that they eventually won. The trials featured claims by the brothers that they were targets of a conspiracy.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Houston argued with U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Shirley at a hearing this month and demanded the judge recuse himself. In an order filed last week, Shirley said Houston's disrespectful conduct would not get him a new judge.
Cracker Barrel items in groceries
LEBANON, Tenn. - Cracker Barrel plans to begin selling some of its products in grocery stores.
The Lebanon-based restaurant chain already sells items such as pancake and corn muffin mixes, cobbler filling and syrup in the stores attached to its restaurants and online.
But The Tennessean reports that the chain has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with John Morrell Food Group that will make those products available at grocery stores, mass merchandisers and other retail outlets.
Berry 'Eaglecam' proves popular
ROME, Ga. - A pair of bald eagles nesting on the campus of Berry College in Rome has gained a worldwide audience.
Last month the school installed a web-based "Eaglecam" that's focused on the nest, which is in a pine tree near the main entrance to the college.
Officials now say the birds are believed to be incubating eggs. And the Rome News-Tribune reports that people from as far away as Japan have clicked on a website. The college's Eaglecam is located at www.berry.edu/eaglecam.